2005 Nissan Xterra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 114about this part
- Share
- 13%of 845 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 114 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 13% of the 845 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Nissan Xterra 2006 the vehicle's transmission went out. According to my mechanic the radiator leaked and ruined the transmission. He also said that Nissan is aware of this and continues to allow the car to be on the road. The car is done and so is my wallet. Thank goodness when the car went out, I was on a back road around no other people!”
NHTSA complaint #11013668, filed 2017-08, 135,000 miles“Takata recall. - Xterra has had radiator replaced, transmission fixed twice due to bad valve body. Now it is shuddering again at 40mph down the road. This needs to be addressed. Transmission failed going down the highway, causing it to go into failure mode. I lost all power by the time I could get pulled over and stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10824165, filed 2016-02, 152,000 miles“I took my car into the shop because of a rumbling noise and shake that was happening while driving. It feels like hitting the safety strips on the edge of the road by the shoulder. The mechanics pulled things apart and identified that there was radiator fluid and engine coolant leaking into my transmission. There were also metal shavings mixed in with the fluids.”
NHTSA complaint #10576041, filed 2014-03, 120,000 miles“A leak inside the radiator has allowed radiator fluid into the transmission. Just driving a short errand near home when I felt a vibration at about 40-45mph, followed by erratic shifting. As I returned home, the car wouldn't even climb up my driveway. I was able to back out, and tried driving forward, but could only crawl a couple of MPH. Luckily reverse still worked enough to safely move out of the street.”
NHTSA complaint #10780540, filed 2015-10, 107,333 miles“The radiator leaked into the transmission causing the transmission to stop working. I had to have the transmission rebuilt and a whole new radiator system put in my truck. 5300.00 .this is a common problem with this model. Tried to send in a claim but was told they are no longer excepting claims because of the problem. If they are aware of the problem then they should help those of us it happened to!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10616424, filed 2014-07, 135,372 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 25% |
| 2011 | 5 | 21% |
| 2010 | 4 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 23 | 19% |
| 2007 | 85 | 15% |
| 2006 | 104 | 13% |
| 2005 | 114 | 13% |
| 2004 | 8 | 10% |
| 2003 | 6 | 8% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Xterra
412 complaintsFuel system
323 complaintsEngine cooling
167 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology